On May 10, 2017, 34-year-old Christine Abdellah Mustafa was last seen in Phoenix, Arizona, after leaving her job at a Walgreens pharmacy. The following day, when she failed to show up for her shift, a rarity for the dedicated employee of over a decade, her family grew concerned and requested a welfare check. Upon entering her home, police discovered her purse, which contained her wallet, identification, and credit cards, on the bathroom floor. Her cell phone was found submerged in water.
Christine's car, a Nissan Cube, was parked in the driveway of the residence she shared with her live-in boyfriend, Robert John Interval Jr., and their infant daughter.
The investigation into Christine's disappearance quickly focused on her boyfriend, Robert Interval. Family members informed investigators that Christine was fearful of Interval and had been making plans to leave him with their child, even inquiring about obtaining an order of protection. On the day she vanished, Interval had called her at work, accusing her of infidelity and threatening her life. When questioned by police, Interval claimed Christine had left for work on foot that morning because her car had a flat tire; however, authorities found the tires to be perfectly fine. Further suspicion arose when it was discovered that on the same day Christine was reported missing, Interval had advertised her car, a bed, and a mattress for sale online. A search of their home revealed possible bloodstained material on the bed linens, and the use of Luminol indicated the presence of blood or other biological material on the walls.
In June 2017, Robert Interval was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Christine Mustafa. Despite extensive searches, including a three-month-long effort at a landfill in Buckeye, Arizona, Christine's body has never been found. During the trial, which began in February 2019, prosecutors presented evidence of Interval's jealousy and controlling behavior. His defense attorney suggested that Christine might have left on her own to start a new life. In April 2019, a jury found Robert Interval not guilty of first-degree murder but convicted him of the lesser charge of second-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison. The case of Christine Mustafa is a tragic story of a mother whose life was cut short, leaving her family, including her two daughters, without answers and a community deprived of her presence. Although a conviction was secured, the absence of her remains continues to be a source of anguish for her loved ones.Last Seen: May 10, 2017
